About the Prop 65 Notification

You may have seen more Prop 65 warnings on our products lately.

First, understand that nothing has changed with the materials or manufacturing processes Kai USA uses to make our products.

The one thing that has changed are the notification requirements of Proposition 65.

Prop 65 is a 1986 California law that requires California residents to be notified of products that could expose them to chemicals known by the state of California to “cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” This law was recently expanded to apply to all retailers as well as those who sell products under a private label.

In fact, there are hundreds of chemicals on the California Prop 65 list—including things like nickel and chromium that have always been a part of knife steel. As a responsible manufacturer, we are including the warning as required by the law. Since we don’t always know where our products are sold, this protects our company and our authorized retailers.

But again, nothing except the notification requirement has changed. Carrying and using our products is no more hazardous than before Prop 65. It will continue to be an important part of the tools you carry with you and use every day.

If you’d like more information, here are links to California government sites:

About the Prop 65 warnings

GENERAL:

Warning

This product can expose you to a chemical (or chemicals) that are known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

LEAD:

Warning

This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

BENZENE:

Warning

This product can expose you to chemicals including benzene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

CARBON MONOXIDE:

Warning

This product can expose you to chemicals including carbon monoxide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

DEHP/BPA

Warning

This product can expose you to chemicals including di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

List of all products that may contain the items listed above: